A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE GOOFS, COINCIDENCES AND TWISTS THAT HAVE RESULTED IN AMAZING NEW DISCOVERIES, FROM LAUGHING GAS TO DYNAMITE

 

  • A man inhales laughing gas…and feels no pain in his leg

  • a blast of water in a bathroom leads to a billion dollar invention

  • a scientist dreams the answer to the question that had him stumped

  • a spill creates an explosive even more powerful than dynamite

Some discoveries come about by logic and reasoning. Others happen because of blunders, fumbles and freaky circumstances - in short, by accident.

Over 80 stories about the stumbles, goofs, and strange twists that have resulted in amazing breakthroughs from laughing gas to dynamite.

  • Short listed, Norma Fleck Award for Non-Fiction
  • Selected, CBC Radio Recommended Reading List
  • Recommended, Best Books, Canadian Children's Book Centre, 2017

Reviews

A well-written and often amusing exploration of the origins of a wide variety of inventions.”

- Canadian Children’s Book Centre

"“Celebrating the curiosity, creativity and persistence (and even the quirkiness) of the many inventors/discoverers featured, and, perhaps, inspiring budding scientists to follow their passion, Accidental Discoveries From Laughing Gas to Dynamite is a fun, amusing and enjoyable read.”

- CM Magazine

 

Accidental Discoveries: From Laughing Gas to Dynamite
© 2015 Larry Verstraete
Friesen Press
PB 978-1-4602-7721-8
eBook 978-1-4602-7722-5